2020 Thomas Boutin Celsiane

WINEMAKER: Thomas Boutin
REGION: Loire Valley, FR
VARIETAL: Chenin Blanc
VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic

Coming off 5 different plots - 2 old vines sections aged 60-70 years old, planted a little after the second world war. The other 3 plots are more recent between 20-30 years old, usually picked a week or so ahead of. Grown on sandstone and schist. A very long one year ferment takes place, leaving the wine with loads of texture and complexity on full lees.

Thomas Boutin started his solo journey in 2008 after more than a decade working in cellars around France as well as internationally. His estate is located in Rochefort sur Loire where he organically farms a small 2 hectares plot 1 hectare in the nearby Saint Aubin. Thomas’ dedication to his vineyards is impressive. His method of ensuring an ecological balance in the vineyard allows him to not use any synthetic products, herbicides or insecticides. He has reduced the use of copper to almost nothing preferring to use home-made tinctures, teas and ferments. This is true natural farming. In the cellar his wines are un-fined and unfiltered, wild fermented slowly and as a result the wines see long lees contact building texture, with minimal sulphur added at bottling only when necessary.